The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-27
DEVELOPING THE GAS FIELD
A Pittsburg Company Also Proposes to
Build Pipe Line to Indianapolis.
Another Company Organized for the Purpose
of Drilling South of the City-ConditiOns
ofthe Proposed Municipal Franchise.

While the Standard Oil Company is actively
pushing its pipeline project, the gentlemen
identified with local organizations are holding
fast to what they think win yield bountiful
flow of gas and enable them, too, to enjoy the
usufruct of aiding to supply the city. Forward
in this purpose is the Indianapolis Natural-eas
Company. which appears to have the utmost
confidence in what it will do around Westfeld
While it is not far along as the Standard
company, its projected pipeline is on paper, and
with that of the other company makes parallel
systems from the Hamilton county region. The
Standard company, their arrangement is
shown on map, at the Denison House. will
come down the Peru tracks, while the proposed
line Of the Indianapolis Natural'gas Company
will lay along the Westfeld pike, or the continu-
alton OF Illinois street. It is not presumed that
there is any friction between these two CORPORA
TONS as both ask for nothing more than an open
ordinance under which all companies can fare
alike
The attention of the Standard people was
again called yesterday to the ordinance intro
duced in Council and passed by that body some
months ago, and which is still held by commit
tee of the Board of Aldermen. but it did not ex-
actly win the favor Of the representatives of the
company. They say they are willing to have
ordinance that will permit share of the supply
to go to other companies, but it is not desired to
have it loaded down with restrictions in the
way of revenues to the city. Among conncilmen
there is no definite idea of how they will treat
the request for the franchise next Monday night,
except that they are willing to grant it condi-
tionally. But no one specifies the conditions be-
yond an expression that whatever is done ought
to be done in the interest Of the
the people. Yet there is nothing in
this to endanger the open ordinance, for the
people generally favor admitting the Standard
company to the city fair conditions. II
would insist, if I were in Council" said citizen
last night. ION only two conditions in that ordi
nance. First, that the franchise should be free
to any company that has the money. and the
bona fds purpose of laying pipe line;r and Sec
ond, that bond should be required that would
make the company accepting the privilege keep
the streets in order This met the view of
gentleman who represents j. w. McGutfey &
Co., of Pittsburg. 1t is the desire Of this firm
to also apply for pipeline franchise It's repre-
eentatives arc now here. and it is possible that
next Monday night the Council will have three
ordinances before it, one in the interest of the
Standard company, another for the Indianapolis
Natural-gas Company, and the third for j. w.
McGuffcy 81 Co., who largely supply Pittsburg.
The Indiana gas field Of this firm has not been
developed as far as that of the Standard. but it
lies near Noblesville.
There is some talk about the Standard COM
pany getting within its folds influential men of
the local companies, but it excites no comment
the main wish being for Indianapolis to have
gas. 1t also appears to be the aim of the Indian
apolis company and the Indiana Natural-gas
Company, which is the local name for the Stand
ard organization, to popularize their interests
Yesterday the books of the first company were
opened for subscriptions to it's increased stock.
aud besides, four committees have been appoint
ed to canvass the city. On the other hand. the
Indiana company, which IL organized a ST.
100000 capital, has created 10000 shares
OF $50 EACH It is proposed to distribute
these among citizens the Standard company
or those representing its interests, holding per-
haps bare majority OF the stock. The articles
incorporating this company were filed with the
Secretary Of State yesterday. They signed
by Calvin N Payne, l. Howard Mansfield, VIM
H. Calkins, Edwin l.. Williams and Voney Il.
Malott, and these gentlemen are also directors,
with Daniel 0. Day and VIM. Fleming. Aside
from Mr. Malott and Major Calkins, the names
of other Indianapolis people connected with the
enterprise have not been given to the public,
but superstition might select few, as Mr..
Mansfelds engagements with local capitalists,
or those who can influence money numerous.
A director of one of the local companies did not
think it strange that felow-director who a
few days since was enthusiastic Tor the home
enterprise should show a weakness in that di
rection since the appearance of the Standard Oil
project
A we'll is to be drilled on the Graham farm
south of the city. by new company organized
last night, with capital of 50, 500. It's stock
holders mostly people of the South Side
This is the fifth Of the local prospecting com
panies.